HUN "BLACK HANDS"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2764, 6 May 1916, Page 7

HUN "BLACK HANDS"

: : SYDNEY SENSATION r■" ■■■ PAID ASSASSINS IN PRISON CAMP •By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyri?!t , Syrinoy, May 1. Further interesting developments have occurred iin the inquiry 'into the death of Hans Portmann, who died as the result of'injuries said- to liavo been caused by his fellow prisoners in, tho Holdsworthy Internment." Camp! A' witness who was suspected "of being a member of the "Black Hand" gang and Was assaulted by the mob, gave evidence that lie had previously served six months /or receiving thirty stolen revolvers in Brisbane, which had been sold in Sydney shortly after 'the war broko out. He admitted that lie received money from other prisoners for tho construction of a.tunnel.

Murders at 2s. 6d. Julius Biau stated that, he had given small sums 'to various prisoners. • ■ He knew of a.si-cret sooioty composed of ex-burglars who would kill a person for 2s. 6d. He could point them out, but it would bo dangerous to do so. Other witnesses declared that plenty of rich men in camp had been blackmailed and beaten, i ; ' but they wero ashamed to admit- it. Among them was a Lutheran minister. The Coroner's attempts to discover who were the actual participants in Portmann's death were of 11.0 avail. The witnesses appeared afraid, and only gave their evidence under pressure. One of them was imprisoned for refusing to answer questions. '

FATAL ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. ' "Sydney, May 1. A German, on his third attempt to escape from the Holdsworthy Internment Camp, was fatally shot. He had boasted that he would escape.or die. An inquiry clicited that tho deceased was a desperate character, and had previously escaped twice. A sentry saw a.' dark object between the'fences of tho compound. He fired and wounded tho prisoner, who was sent to the, hospital, where he died. - ■ [The above messages wore cabled on Monday, but were only released venterday.]